The first couple of winters I spent here, I used a small floor standing electric heater to stay warm. Piper and I managed through them, but never really got warm.

Then my amazing heating and air genius neighbor Daniel, certified with decades of experience, came over and hooked up and cleaned out my inactive wall gas heater. I then had the local utilities company turn on the natural gas, and everything changed.

This morning it was well below zero when I got up, and I cranked all three bars on. The place was warm in minutes! Now I'm sitting here watching season three of Jack Ryan on Prime, running two bars, and snug as a bug in a rug.

I did venture out this morning, winter dressed to the max with the equipment I brought from the Idaho mountains. I even dug out my insulated boots, and I don't think many folks around here have such a thing.

With my down jacket and insulated pants, I was able to accomplish my goals this morning, and no, I didn't find the cat. I truly hope he survives.

And my new tires handled the roads just fine.